The question is: should EVERY song one writes be written with a "#1 hit" sound in mind? I generally am asking in terms of pop, hip-hop and rock music. I try to write music somewhat outside-of-the-box, but a lot of times I tend to go overboard with generous helpings of eccentricity to where listeners can't actually 'feel' the music (you'd be surprised if you heard some of my unreleased demos). What'ch'y'all think?

Hmm. I'm all for eccentric, but I'm not sure what you mean by your listeners can't feel the music.
In terms of pop, this means lowest common denominator. Simple beat, nothing too cerebral. A goldfish can follow it.
On the other hand, I'm a huge fan of prog rock, jazz (especially fusion), and the Grateful Dead.
Some of this goes on some really wild tangents, but it still has to speak to you in some way.
I really like stuff that spirals off into near chaos, but maintains the skinniest thread that brings you back. GD were masters at this.
Just the other day, I listened to a Brian Eno piece that was an hour long. That's 57 minutes longer that the average attention span. But it was cool in it's own way.
Deviate from the norm? Absolutely. Will it be a hit? Probably not. But if you feel something while you are creating it, there's a fair chance somebody will pick up on that when they listen to it. If they get where you are coming from, you have done your job as an artist.

For mainstream rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, most definitely.....you go for the hit or you don't write for that market.
 
You have 3 choices as a writer in my opinion:
 
1. You write for you and see where it takes you. This means be as progressive as you feel you need to be or want to be, be eccentric, think outside the box and write way out stuff, if you are a musician flaunt your chops.....let your mind go. Don't be afraid to be different but also be ready to accept that you may be over-doing it, may be considered "unique" or you may wind up with a cult following or no following at all.
 
2. Write for a particular genre based on what works in that field. Think popular, common arrangements, some cliche lyrics or words that work for that genre and stuff people can relate to while they can tap their feet without having to think about keeping time while singing along. People think it's easy, yet every time I tell them "if it's so easy, please write these hit tunes and give me the money you make from them" they answer "nah, it's too easy" while they sit at their day jobs miserable and bashing on others who have found ways to be successful. If I could do it, I'd write 5 Rebecca Black "Friday" tunes a week because there is a market for that. Not one I particularly enjoy, but hey, until I get rich from my music...if any of you rich people in this economy want to float me some money because you CAN write 5 tunes a week like that, I'd be obliged! You too can give to the united Danny songwriting fund! :)
 
3. Write in a hybrid style. Meaning, pick the genre you like and study what is successful for that genre. From there, the object is sort of like a book report. You don't copy the information right out of the book, you tell it in your own words adding "your flair". This to me is how stars are born without trying. You don't set out to emulate anyone, you just do what you do while paying attention to what works in your preferred genre of music and then you change it up a bit while still delivering an infectious hook. From there you create your own formula which ends up being, yourself and your brand of music.
 
People may be able to tell your influences at first, but you sound like you and in time, you'll start to have less influences as your true self starts to shine. Don't be afraid to experiment, but always consider your audience. Hip-hop crowds probably wouldn't like 6/8 timing....then again, if YOU can deliver it the right way in a language they can understand, don't procrastinate. The key is how you deliver the hook.
 
Two prime examples of delivery to the masses off the top of my head...
 
Eddie Van Halen made two hand tapping on a guitar more famous than anyone. He was NOT the first one to do it, he didn't create it, yet he gets just about all the acclaim for it in the eyes of the public. Why? He delivered it in a way the masses thought was incredible, it caught on and the next thing you know, Eddie is the tap king. When others before him did it, the sound was cool but it didn't have the impact that Eddie had when he tapped his way into the hearts of the masses at the time. Delivery is so important...especially when that delivery becomes "acceptance" in a time where Disco was king in the music industry which was when Eddie came out. Talk about taking a chance?!
 
The second example isn't really a great one, but it's after 5:30 am and I'm toast. LOL! A progressive metal band by the name of Dream Theater put out an album called Images and Words. It had the perfect amount of progressive metal, hooks, back up vocals, instrumental brilliance on every instrument, and some of the best commercially acceptable songs they would ever write.
 
The success of this album made them stars. Though their sound was something me and many others enjoyed for that one album, the albums that followed (though good from a musical standpoint but not so much a song standpoint) went further away from the hooks and became hooky in other aspects as well as more instrumental wankage being introduced.
 
This to me was a turn-off. A great band with chops to die for, but it was too much. I liked the band and accepted them for what they brought to the table at the start. But they changed a bit too much for me to enjoy in large doses. When you try to redefine the face of music or go off and do whatever you want after a successful album, you can tank really fast. Low and behold, the band never had another album quite like Images and Words. Not because they couldn't write one...but because they didn't want to by choice. They were happy with writing 2-3 cult based albums per year doing various side projects with extreme progressive material with weird timings and insane instrumental abilities.
 
That's all well and good, but they hooked quite a few people with that first album and lost quite a few when they went totally musical. They gained some prog fans as well, but they lost more than they gained over the years with sales that were quite dismal at times. But they made up for it in endorsements and music clinic vids. Me personally, that wouldn't be enough for me. I want the full musical package. The songs, the hooks, the musicality...a writer, a performer...appealing to the masses as well as the people that may like guitar music. But that's just me.
 
My point is, follow your heart but always consider your genre as well as your audience. Meaning, do what you do...do what you want, but know when to reel yourself back in. Then again, it would be a shame for the world to not hear intense creativity that may also make a person a star. It's a catch 22 really and always will be. But keeping the 3 options I've listed in mind can at least help you to create a blueprint for what may be a great starting point. Good luck. :)
 
-Danny

Ahhh Danielson...... you are like a wise musical monk sitting atop your honestery monastery in the foothills of New Jersey. Preach on my man, tell the good people.  Enlighten them with chords, sweeps, melodies, & harmonies.  LOL!

Depends on whether you're shooting for a commercially-viable product or just want to express yourself in music for the joy of it. For the hobbyist who just wants to get better at it, the best strategy is quantity first without regard for whether the current project is going to wow anybody or not.

should EVERY song one writes be written with a "#1 hit" sound in mind?
 
 
 

on the most boring planet in the entire universe, would this be applicable.
 
you have been warned.
 
 
 
 

 

should EVERY song one writes be written with a "#1 hit" sound in mind?

 
Danny summed it up pretty well.  Myself, I do the hybrid method.  I write more for myself in hopes that others like the songs....but, I am very conscious of the fact that they have to be like-able and musical to draw interest.
 
I think the biggest challenge is recognizing in your own music, what works for you that others seem to like.  Developing your style, your own tone, your own "voice".  I believe strongly in what Danny mentions as you kind of have your own sound that eventually finds its way out...almost no matter what you are trying to do.
 
Experimentation is good, but keep it musical as well.  I always keep in mind that if I am the only one that likes the song, its not going to sell very well.

davdud101The question is: should EVERY song one writes be written with a "#1 hit" sound in mind?

My take on this: Never write, produce or record a song with that in mind, but when it comes to the mix? Sure. Why not? If it's possible considering the material you're working with.
 
But I haven't earned a living with music since the early 1980s, so what do I know?

davdude101
 
Should they ALL be hits?
 
The question is: should EVERY song one writes be written with a "#1 hit" sound in mind? I generally am asking in terms of pop, hip-hop and rock music. I try to write music somewhat outside-of-the-box, but a lot of times I tend to go overboard with generous helpings of eccentricity to where listeners can't actually 'feel' the music (you'd be surprised if you heard some of my unreleased demos). What'ch'y'all think?
 

 
IMO what I do;
 
#1 criteria is to always strive to better previous efforts. Seek out new challenges, to boldly go where no man has gone before :-P; 'Challenges' in areas such as 'songwriting', musicianship skills and music production (DAW), along with the premise that no matter the years of experience; life is a 'continuous learning curve.' Importantly; At every step, for every nuance, I try to capture the best; Song Structure -- Performance -- Pure Essence (vibe, feel) -- Quality (sound) -- Good Audio Levels. Because every aspect of the process from Song and performances to end (final master) is all important! Its the sum of all that! 
 
In regards to songwriting, to boldly go where no man has gone before; "Easier said than done.' Especially being a one-man, doing-it-all thy-self, I know it is not easy and that's why I show a lot of respect to the many talented fellow writers /musicians / music producers who obviously put in a decent amount of effort. 

{Doh} Above said; Decades of experience up my sleeve and dang it man I'm still striving, to do ||: better and better and better :|| {rpt}  years of that thought pounding in my head over and over it's no wonder why I've gone insane.   
 
 
Post credits:
"To boldly go where no man has gone before" {Star Trek} . 
 
I love that expression 
 
 
 

The tricky part about trying to constantly write a hit song is that pop trends are fickle and temporary.  Write a bunch of songs like the current hits works great if by the time the song is released that trend is still hot.